MIAMI, FL- JANUARY 22: Jerry Rice #80 of the San Francisco 49ers runs with the ball against the Cincinnati Bengals during Super Bowl XXIII on January 22, 1989 at Joe Robbie Stadium in Miami, Florida. The 49ers won the Super Bowl 20-16. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
We went position by position to break down the greatest team that could ever be assembled. Did we leave anyone off the list who deserves to be here? Let us know in the comments.
Jan 26, 1986; New Orleans, LA, USA; FILE PHOTO; Chicago Bears defensive coordinator Buddy Ryan gets a victory ride after the Chicago Bears defeated the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XX 46-10 at the Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Tony Tomsic-USA TODAY NETWORK
There have been many great defenses, but the 1985 Chicago Bears was arguably the best in history
Quarterback: Tom Brady
New England Patriot quarterback Tom Brady (12) as he completes a pass against the Oakland Raiders in the AFC Championship Game, 01/19/2002. (Photo by Arthur Anderson/Getty Images)
The G.O.A.T. with seven Super Bowl rings
Running Back: Walter Payton
Nov 12, 1978; Chicago, IL, USA: FILE PHOTO; Chicago Bears running back Walter Payton (34) runs with the ball against the Minnesota Vikings at Solder Field. Mandatory Credit: Malcolm Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
“Sweetness” was the greatest both on and off the field
Fullback: Jim Brown
Jan 17, 1960; Los Angeles, CA, USA; FILE PHOTO; Cleveland Browns running back Jim Brown during the 1960 Pro Bowl at the Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: David Boss-USA TODAY Sports
Imagine his statistics if he played more than nine seasons
Wide Receiver: Jerry Rice
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jerry Rice (80) runs with the football after making a catch and drags Bengals defensive back Solomon Wilcots (41) along the way during the 4th quarter of the 49ers 20-16 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals in Super Bowl XXIII on January 22, 1989 at Joe Robbie Stadium in Miami, Florida. Rice had 11 receptions for a then Super Bowl-record 215 yards and one touchdown, on a sprained ankle, and was named the game’s Most Valuable Player. (Photo by Sylvia Allen/Getty Images)
Never had the greatest speed but also never saw him get caught from behind
Wide Receiver: Randy Moss
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – JANUARY 6: Wide receiver Randy Moss #84 of the Minnesota Vikings races upfield against the New Orleans Saints in the 2000 NFC Divisional Playoff Game at the Metrodome on January 6, 2001 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings defeated the Saints 34-16. (Photo by Joseph Patronite/Getty Images)
Had the perfect combination of size and speed
Wide Receiver: Larry Fitzgerald
GLENDALE, ARIZONA – DECEMBER 26: Wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald #11 of the Arizona Cardinals makes a reception against the San Francisco 49ers during the NFL game at State Farm Stadium on December 26, 2020 in Glendale, Arizona. The 49ers defeated the Cardinals 20-12. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Unmatched consistency at receiver
Tight End: Tony Gonzalez
Oct 12, 2023; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Former player Tony Gonzalez on field prior to a game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Denver Broncos at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Fluid as a receiver and extremely solid as a blocker
Left Offensive Tackle: Jonathan Ogden
Nov 3, 2019; Baltimore, MD, USA; Pro Football Hall of Fame member Jonathan Ogden stands field side during the second quarter of the game between the Baltimore Ravens and the New England Patriots at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Was a nightmare matchup for any pass rusher
Left Offensive Guard: Larry Allen
Aug 4, 2013; Canton, OH, USA; Larry Allen (left) is greeted by Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo (9) before the 2013 Hall of Fame Game at Fawcett Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Opened the biggest running lanes for Emmitt Smith
Center: Jim Otto
Unknown date & location, USA; FILE PHOTO; Oakland Raiders center Jim Otto (00) on the sidelines. Mandatory Credit: Malcolm Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Smart, crafty and solid as a rock
Right Offensive Guard: Joe DeLamielleure
Dec 16, 1973; Flushing, NY, USA, FILE PHOTO; Buffalo Bills running back (32) O.J. Simpson leaves the field with (68) Joe DeLamielleure after he breaks the single season NFL rushing with 2003 yards against the New York Jets at Shea Stadium. The Bills defeated the Jets 34-14. Mandatory Credit: Tony Tomsic-USA TODAY NETWORK
Opened tons of running lanes for O.J. Simpson in Buffalo
Right Offensive Tackle: Ron Yary
Nov 17, 1974; Bloomington, MN, USA: FILE PHOTO; Minnesota Vikings tackle Ron Yary (73) in action against the Green Bay Packers at Metropolitan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Malcolm Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Tough and mean and rarely got beat
Left Defensive End: Reggie White
Nov 30, 1986; Los Angeles, CA, USA; FILE PHOTO; Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Reggie White (92) in action against the Los Angeles Raiders at the Los Angeles Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Malcolm Emmons- USA TODAY Sports
The Minister of Defense
Defensive Tackle: Aaron Donald
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 13: Aaron Donald #99 of the Los Angeles Rams celebrates after sacking quarterback Joe Burrow #9 of the Cincinnati Bengals in the second half during Super Bowl LVI at SoFi Stadium on February 13, 2022 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
No one rushed the passer better from the interior
Defensive Tackle: Alan Page
Sep 1969; Unknown location, USA; FILE PHOTO; Minnesota Vikings defensive tackle Alan Page (88) on the sideline during the 1969 season. Mandatory Credit: Manny Rubio-USA TODAY Sports
Hall of Fame member of the Purple People Eater defense
Right Defensive End: Bruce Smith
Aug, 1986; Chicago, IL, USA; FILE PHOTO; Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Bruce Smith (78) in action during the preseason against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Malcolm Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Caused havoc to opposing quarterbacks
Left Outside Linebacker: Jack Ham
Nov 1972; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; FILE PHOTO; Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker (59) Jack Ham on the sidelines during the 1972 season at Three Rivers Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tony Tomsic-USA TODAY NETWORK
Helped anchor the Steel Curtain defense
Middle Linebacker: Ray Lewis
Oct. 23, 2005; Chicago, IL, USA; Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis (52) runs onto the field before the start of the Ravens’ game against the Chicago Bears Sunday Oct. 23 at Soldier Field. Chicago won 10-6. Mandatory Credit: Photo By Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports Copyright (c) 2005 Matt Cashore
Played his best in the biggest spots
Right Outside Linebacker: Lawrence Taylor
Oct 1984; Unknown Location; FILE PHOTO; Lawrence Taylor #56 of the New York Giants in action during the 1984 season. Mandatory Credit: Photo By Malcolm Emmons-USA TODAY Sports Copyright (c) Malcolm Emmons
The greatest defensive player of all-time
Cornerback: Deion Sanders
Deion Sanders #21, Wide Receiver for the Dallas Cowboys celebrates a touch down in the end zone during their National Football Conference East Division game against the New York Giants on 21st September 1998 at the Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, United States. The Dallas Cowboys won the game 31 – 7.(Photo by Al Bello/Allsport/Getty Images)
Not the greatest tackler, but no one had better instincts
Cornerback: Rod Woodson
Jan 23, 1996; Tempe, AZ, USA; FILE PHOTO; Pittsburgh Steelers defensive back Rod Woodson addresses the media as he is interviewed at media day prior to Super Bowl XXX. Mandatory Credit: USA TODAY Sports
The toughest matchup for any NFL receiver
Free Safety: Ed Reed
Sept 21, 2008; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens FS Ed Reed (20) carries the ball after an interception in the second half against the Cleveland Browns at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: James Lang-USA TODAY Sports
The smartest free safety to ever play
Strong Safety: Ronnie Lott
Jan 24, 1982; Pontiac, MI, USA; FILE PHOTO; San Francisco 49ers players Ronnie Lott (42) and Jack Reynolds (64) embrace after defeating the Cincinnati Bengals 26-21 to win Super Bowl XVI at the Pontiac Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Manny Rubio-USA TODAY Sports
Fierce, hard-nosed hitter
Punter: Ray Guy
Oct 6, 1974; Cleveland, OH, USA, FILE PHOTO; Oakland Raiders punter Ray Guy (8) in action against the Cleveland Browns at Cleveland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Malcolm Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Legendary punter for the Raiders
Kicker: Justin Tucker
Jan 4, 2025; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Ravens place kicker Justin Tucker (9) kicks off as punter Jordan Stout (11) holds during the first quarter against the Cleveland Browns at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images
